Monaco is the second smallest country in the world but does it still have a military?
Monaco has a very small militarized force, consisting of around two-hundred and fifty personnel. While it’s not a traditional army, it recognizes itself as a full-time, armed military force. The force is split into two separate paths, one focusing on defending Monaco’s prince, the other on civil defense.
Read on to learn more about the tiny and luxurious country of Monaco, and its armed forces.
Mini Military
Monaco is an extremely unique country; it’s tiny but massively valuable. It currently holds the second-place slot in the ranks of the smallest countries in the world.
It sits just behind Vatican City, a minuscule sovereign nation housed within Italy. It takes up just 0.17 square miles of land and has a population of just eight hundred people.
The nation of Monaco isn’t much bigger, covering just 0.78 square miles of territory. Although, the population is much denser, with around thirty-five thousand people living in the country.
It comes as no surprise that Monaco’s military is as tiny as the land it occupies. The entire armed forces consists of just two ‘regiments’, totaling around two-hundred and fifty people.
The only countries with a smaller military force are Iceland, and Antigua and Barbuda.
Commonly, the smallest countries in the world rely on others for support. This is true for the likes of Vatican City, Monaco, and Iceland.
The former relies on Italy for protection, while Iceland is under the defense of Denmark, Norway, and other Scandinavian nations. Finally, Monaco, who is sheltered by France and its considerable military force.
Coincidentally, almost all the officers and a majority of the soldiers in Monaco’s army have seen service with the French military.
Monaco’s armed forces are split into two different channels, both with a clear purpose. The most official and oldest is the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince.
This unit is sworn to protect the Prince, essentially serving as a palace guard. At a high point, this company is made up of around one hundred and twenty soldiers.
The other unit is the Corps des Sapeurs-pompiers de Monaco. They’re primarily a civil defensive regiment, tasked with providing fire, rescue, and medical servers to the nation of Monaco.
Small but Mighty
It might be small but the financial output and stature of Monaco are staggering. It’s an incredibly rich nation, boasting the second-highest GDP per capita in the world.
Reportedly, the average income in Monaco is more than one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. There are only four countries on the planet with an average income of over one hundred thousand dollars.
The tiny nation allegedly has no poverty at all – not a single trace. It’s home to one of the most expensive streets in the world, with real estate prices reaching mindblowing numbers.
One of the most incredible statistics is that almost one in three residents of Monaco is a millionaire. That’s more than twelve-thousand millionaires in a country half the size of Central Park.
The streets are reportedly bustling with high-end supercars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis. We’ve spent some time discussing these cars recently, and which of the two is more powerful.
In the docks, countless yachts are moored up by their millionaire owners. It isn’t just millionaires, either; Monaco is home to more than a few billionaires.
You can read more about the kind of superyachts the elite sail around on in a previous article.
Famed for Fortune
The majority of Monaco’s wealth is derived from the super-wealthy tourists that flock to the nation year on year. One of Monaco’s most iconic offerings is a string of lavish and luxurious casinos.
There’s also a sporting legacy for Monaco, as a Formula One Grand Prix is held there every year. This extremely expensive and lucrative sport brings millions of dollars to the country.
Monaco’s economy is totally reliant on this rampant tourism. The chief exports from Monaco are apparently perfumes, cosmetics, and clothing.
Celebrities have long been known to flock to Monaco in the summer months to enjoy the wealth and weather. Historically, figures such as Picasso, Queen Victoria, and F. Scott Fitzgerald adored the tiny country.
In recent years, it’s been regularly visited by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, and Elton John.
Given the minute size of the country, it’s likely a very easy place to accomplish some celebrity hunting.